Microsoft Expression Blend 4 Step by Step (Step by Step)

The smart way to learn Microsoft® Expression Blend® 4—one step at a time!

Experience learning made easy—and quickly teach yourself how to design rich user interfaces (UI) for Microsoft Silverlight®-based applications using Expression Blend 4. With Step by Step, you set the pace—building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them!

• Master the Expression Blend 4 core tools and features
• Use SketchFlow to design a UI prototype
• Create reusable skins for Silverlight 4 controls
• Implement interactive elements without writing code
• Add XAML and C# basics to your design skill set
• Design custom UI art with tools in Expression® Design 4

Your Step by Step digital content includes:

• All the books practice files—ready to download and put to work.
• Fully searchable online edition of this book—with unlimited access on the Web.

The print version of this book includes free digital content online. To download, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to booktech@oreilly.com.

Teach yourself how to use Microsoft® Expression Blend® 4, the professional tool for designing graphical user interfaces (UI) for Silverlight Web and desktop applications. With STEP BY STEP, you set the pace — building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them!

• Learn how to use the tools and features in the Blend IDE
• Use SketchFlow to design a UI prototype, including interactive elements
• Create reusable styles — or skins — with common Silverlight 4 controls
• Implement interactive elements without using code
• Explore the process of designer/developer collaboration with Expression Blend
• Learn how to use the basics of XAML and C# efficiently
• Take advantage of the design tools in Expression Design

Your online learning resources include:

• Files for building skills and practicing the book's lessons
• Screencasts to show you exactly how to accomplish tasks
• Fully searchable eBook

Elena Kosinska is a MCT and Microsoft MVP in Expression Blend and a UI designer focused on prototyping, design, and development of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Applications. She writes blog posts and articles for UI designers, has taught WPF and Microsoft Silverlight® courses, and is a coauthor of Microsoft Expression Blend 4 Step by Step.

Chris Leeds has been a Microsoft MVP since before Expression Studio was added to their catalog. Originally, he was a FrontPage MVP who learned what users needed from FrontPage's novice user base, and then provided instruction to help users reach their goals. He has written two books on Microsoft Expression Web for Microsoft Press and is currently working on a third, Microsoft Expression Web 4.0 Step by Step.

• Chapter 1: Getting Around Flash
• Chapter 2: Creating Simple Drawings
• Chapter 3: Animating Your Drawings

• Chapter 4: Organizing Frames and Layers
• Chapter 5: Advanced Drawing and Coloring
• Chapter 6: Reusable Flash: Symbols and Templates
• Chapter 7: Advanced Tweens with the Motion Editor
• Chapter 8: Realistic Animation with IK Bones
• Chapter 9: Incorporating Non-Flash Media Files
• Chapter 10: Incorporating Sound and Video

• Chapter 11: Introduction to ActionScript 3
• Chapter 12: Controlling Actions with Events
• Chapter 13: Organizing Objects with the Display List
• Chapter 14: Controlling Animation
• Chapter 15: Components for Interactivity
• Chapter 16: Choosing, Using, and Animating Text
• Chapter 17: Drawing with ActionScript

• Chapter 18: Testing and Debugging
• Chapter 19: Publishing and Exporting

• Installation and Help
• Flash CS4, Menu by Menu